Is Hitman Sniper Challenge Already Being Sold for a Fiver? - UPDATE

Grainger Games accused of selling freebie - Comment incoming

Square and IO Interactive made an incredibly savvy move with the pre-release mini-game Hitman Sniper Challenge sent into the world to herald the arrival of Hitman: Absolution in November. So much so that the mini-game could go it alone. However, at least one voice on industry bible MCV's site is claiming the freebie, pre-release title is being sold for £5.

"Hitman: Sniper Challenge is a free game being offered for anyone pre-ordering Hitman Absolution from selected retailers. It is a stand-alone 'hit' in the Hitman universe and is intended as separate content for fans to enjoy whilst waiting for Hitman: Absolution to be released", says the blurb.

MCV is running a story regarding comments made by IO Interactive game director Tore Blystad about a full-blown version of the title in which Tor says of that option:

“Who knows? It turned out really well. If we can find a way to make it work then I guess we will." Oh come on, that's not a "Yes" or a "No" is it?

At the foot of that same MCV story comes this amazing and unsubstantiated comment:

"Grainger Games already sell the 'Sniper Challenge' for £5 (well my local store does anyway, seen it behind the counter)."

That would be a currently free title, being sold for £5... presumably without the knowledge of Square. We've contacted Grainger so that they can offer a clarification of what is, we have to reiterate, a single, unsubstantiated comment.

UPDATEGrainger has responded to our request for comment with the following statement:

"This title was sold into us at a cost through an official supplier as a pre order bonus not a free title.

"We already take a £3 pre order on any titles that the customer’s request and with this we decided to up the pre order cost to £5 as you get this content.

"This is not sold as a standalone and anyone who has paid any amount for this title will get the amount they have paid off the Hitman Absolution once it is released."